Public Programs Presenter, Part-Time

About The Opportunity
The part-time Public Programs Presenter, reporting to the Public Programs Specialist, is responsible for conducting informal science education programs with museum guests. These programs include informal science education programs for all-age audiences, theater programs, programs for young children and their caregivers, live animal programs, as well as conversations with guests centered around natural history specimens and objects. The Public Programs Presenter is comfortable engaging with guests and presenting on any topic relevant to the Academy and its mission.
Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.
We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.
This position is based in San Francisco, California. Programs are facilitated in-person at the museum, so Presenters are expected to be onsite for shifts, trainings, most meetings, special events, or celebrations. The candidate must easily be able to work onsite at the Academy in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including receiving a booster shot, as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy.
About The Public Programs Team
The Public Programs Team is dedicated to facilitating programs and guest-lead engagements that enrich guest experiences at the Academy, including daily programming at iconic exhibits, early childhood programming, specimen interaction and much more. Through these programs, the Public Programs team helps share the Academy’s mission to regenerate the natural world and major initiatives to guests of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide natural history, science, and sustainability information for guests of all ages
• Maintain a high level of enthusiasm while performing repetitive, interpretive programs
• Provide excellent customer service to guests and staff
• Deliver highly engaging programs to the public throughout the museum on various topics
• Use appropriate interpretive techniques to inspire wonder and guests to take action
• Support the Academy’s mission, vision and division-wide initiatives
• Other duties as assigned
• Follow all Academy safety regulations and complete all HR-assigned trainings
• Assist with duties as needed such as program equipment maintenance, program evaluation, etc.
• Help to maintain a positive work environment and to work cooperatively within a team

Qualifications
EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION :

• College-level coursework, professional training, or experience in one or more of the following fields: education (formal or informal), natural history interpretation, science communication, performing arts, or other relevant field
• At least 1-year of public speaking experience

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Can maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity while performing repetitive programs on a regular basis
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Can make complicated science concepts accessible to general audiences while maintaining scientific accuracy
• Comfort working with live animals, including snakes and insects
• Can adapt and maintain flexibility in changing and fast-paced environments
• Can work well independently as well as in teams
• Can effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people
• Comfort working with small children (0-5 years old) and their caregivers
• Can accept feedback graciously and integrate it into practice
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Desired/Preferred:

• Fundamental knowledge of best practices in interpretation
• Fundamental knowledge of science, natural history, and/or conservation topics
• Fluency in a second language

This is a mandated reporter-designated position. Academy employees whose duties include direct contact and supervision of children are deemed mandated reporters under California Law. Mandated reporters have certain specific reporting obligations in the event that they know of, observe or reasonably suspect that a child has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. The Academy provides mandated reporters with training on their rights and obligations under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
Physical Environment:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to safely work in both outdoor and indoor environments that may include stairs, uneven paths, ladders or lifts, and secure access areas.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and be able to perform repetitive motions 25% of the time.
• This position requires extensive time on the museum public floor which includes: frequent travel across concrete floors and bark while transporting materials, intervals of time outdoors in varying environmental conditions, extensive public speaking often in noisy, crowded environments, and exposure to high levels of noise.

Compensation
Hourly hiring/flat rate: $26.33 per hour
Schedule: Part-Time, minimum of 14 hours per week consisting of 2 regularly scheduled, 9:30am-4pm shifts and a weekly team meeting on Thursday mornings. Weekend and holiday work, and occasional evening shifts, are required, along with the possibility of additional shifts cover vacation, event and sick time requests.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
This position will close on July 10, 2023 at 9:00pm. Review of applications will begin on July 5, 2023.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume and complete the brief online application
The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).
The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of race (including hair texture and natural hairstyles), color, creed, gender (including gender identity, status, or gender expression), religion (all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice including religious dress or grooming practices), reproductive health decision-making, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, history of disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or a history of cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. The Academy also prohibits unlawful discrimination against a person who is perceived as having any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.